History of Roland

[Cloudschatze]

SoundOnSound has written a series of articles detailing the history of Roland Corp. The first three sections (1930-1991) are available to view without subscription. Interesting stuff.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/articles/roland.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/roland.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan05/articles/roland.htm

[Ari]

It's very interesting to read what they have to say about the MT-32 in comparison to the original D-50. They claim the D-50 is even better sounding than the MT-32, and has superior synthesis.

[Cloudschatze]

It's very interesting to read what they have to say about the MT-32 in comparison to the original D-50. They claim the D-50 is even better sounding than the MT-32, and has superior synthesis.

The D-50 is definitely better sounding, due in part to a more-capable effects section. Synthesis-wise, neither the MT-32 nor D-10/20/110 seem to be able to faithfully reproduce some of the D-50's patches, such as DigitalNativeDance.

[Tom]

Wonder how often DigitalNativeDance was actually used by musicians to compose.   Might be nice to reproduce the sound on the MT-32, but some of those old sounds would have a very limited application.  

As much as I like the old Roland L/A sound, in my opinion, I don't believe these earlier synths match the realism of the last couple of Sound Canvas models.  I couldn't imagine trying to compose a soundtrack using only L/A synths; not after having used the Yamaha SW60XG and Roland SC-8820.  L/A does offer sounds that still haven't been faithfully reproduced on newer synths, but again...their use is still limited.  I guess, like almost everything else in music, much depends on the user's own experience with music and composition.  One man's heavenly sound is another man's garbage.   :twisted:

[Cloudschatze]

Wonder how often DigitalNativeDance was actually used by musicians to compose.

In the late 80's, you had only to turn on the radio to hear DigitalNativeDance.

Easily one of the most overused and infamous presets ever.

[Tom]

I must have been listening to Classic Rock radio stations back then, too.  Didn't listen to much of the stuff on the radio from the 80's or 90's...at least not enough to feel that the sound was one of the most overused sounds, ever.

[Cloudschatze]

Here is a non-commercial example of the Digital Native Dance sound. The first two minutes are entirely DND.

http://www.hellkvist.org/funstuff/Digital_Native_Dance.mp3

[Ari]

I was just about to ask for a sample. thanks!